On Thursday, March 29 and Friday, March 30, guests at the Walt Disney World Resort will have the opportunity to meet author Ridley Pearson and purchase a signed copy of his latest book, Kingdom Keepers V: Shell Game’ days before its official release in stores on April 3, 2012.

Pearson will be at Once Upon a Toy in the Downtown Disney District Marketplace on March 29, 2012 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm and at the Writer’s Stop in Disney’s Hollywood Studios on March 30 from 9:30 am – 11:30 am. Note that park admission will be required for the Disney’s Hollywood Studios event, but not for Once Upon a Toy.

As the five Kingdom Keepers enter high school, everything is about to change. The Maintenance Base that controls all four parks in Disney World is under attack by the a group determined to change Disney forever. Relationships between the Keepers are no longer as simple as they once were. In fact, nothing is as simple as it once was. An after-hours visit to Typhoon Lagoon is a game changer. The Keepers lose one of their most valuable supporters. But there’s work to do?

The Disney Dream leaves Port Canaveral on an historic cruise to Los Angeles with a special treat in store for guests: the Disney Host Interactive teenage guides are on board. Finn, Maybeck, Charlene, Willa, and Philby join celebrity guests as the DHI experience moves to one of the most advanced cruise ships in the world.

But all is not right below decks. Strange things are happening. Unexplained phenomena. Only the Kingdom Keepers know the truth behind their invitation to be in attendance: nearly every Disney villain is aboard the ship, including Maleficent.

The Overtakers have infiltrated the cast and crew. And no one knows what they have planned.

The Dream sets sail filled with enthusiastic guests and crew. But not for long. Maleficent takes over a video screen and warns the guests of trouble to come. With the ship arriving to the beaches of Castaway Cay–its first of many exotic ports of call–the Kingdom Keepers are under attack; back home the Base is threatened and about to fall. The Overtakers have expanded in ways never foreseen, and it’s clear they intend to use this element of surprise to accomplish what has eluded them so far: victory.

UPDATE #1: 2/24/12 – Wristbands will be required to attend the signing with Ridley Pearson. Wristbands will be distributed while supplies last with purchase of Kingdom Keepers V: Shell Game. Guests will be able to purchase the book at Once Upon a Toy on March 29 beginning at 3 pm and at park opening at the Writer’s Stop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on March 30.